Matt White to coach Sunbury next year in Ballarat league

A former AFL player will return to coach his junior club in 2024 and he has one clear goal in mind.

The “prodigal son” is returning home to Sunbury in the hope of leading the Lions to premiership glory.

Former Richmond and Port Adelaide player Matt White will coach the Ballarat league club next season.

He replaces Travis Hodgson who led the club from 2019 until the end of the 2023 season.

White has recently been an assistant coach at Coburg in the VFL and also played for Montmorency in the Northern league once his playing days ended in the AFL.

He played 153 games for the Tigers and the Power.

White will be a non-playing coach when he comes to the Lions.

“Matt was on the radar, we got wind he was looking to coach,” Sunbury president Jack Medcraft said.

“He wanted to come to Sunbury so I said the ‘prodigal son’ has returned. He played his junior football at Sunbury and went onto the AFL.

“His aim was always to get Sunbury back to binge a power, that’s why he’s here.”

Matt White playing for Port Adelaide in the 2014 preliminary final. Picture: Michael Klein.

Medcraft conceded the club underperformed this year, narrowly missing the finals after finishing seventh.

“I think it was inexperience and a new game plan, new method of coaching (that cost us) and sometimes you can get a bit stale,” Medcraft said.

“He’s (White) got a list he’s going to be excited about and we’re talking to a couple of players from another couple of leagues.

“Now that (White’s) here they might want to join the fold and see what we have to offer.”

Medcraft revealed most of the players involved this year have re-signed, including former Essendon player Cody Brand.

And there is enthusiasm among the group to right the wrongs of this season and make the step up next year to be a premiership threat.

“As he (White) said when he first came to see us, he wants Sunbury to be a powerhouse again and win a premiership,” Medcraft said.

“His aim is to do just that.

“We’re very excited and rapt he’s chosen us to come back to.”